A study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience in January 2018 showed that migraine sufferers who received 400mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily for 3 months had a reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of their migraines, as well as a reduction in the inflammation marker TNF-alpha in their blood. Migraines may be triggered by many factors including inflammatory reactions to certain foods, high stress, hormonal changes, and toxicity. In our clinic we investigate these to determine what factors are relevant to each person, & then create an individual treatment protocol to address them. If you have headaches or migraines and are looking for a way to help yourself give Sunshine Coast Nutritionist and Kinesiologist
​Karen Emans a call on 0408 748 532.
​

​Coenzyme Q10 is used by heart muscle cells in manufacture of energy, for the hearts work of pumping blood around the body. Co Q10 is naturally produced by our own cells, and is present in the meat we consume, but tissue levels fall as we age. Statin drugs taken for lowering cholesterol may also deplete it. A recent 2 year study examined weather long term supplementation with Co Q10 could improve the symptoms of heart failure - reduced ability of the heart to pump blood around the body. (Mortensen SA, Rosenfeldt F, Kumar A, et al. “The effect of coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure: results from Q-SYMBIO: a randomized double-blind trial” JACC Heart Fail.2014;2(6):641-9)
 
The scientists enrolled 420 people in the study and gave them 100mg of CoQ10, or placebo three times daily for 2 years, in addition to their normal drug therapy. After 2 years those taking supplemental CoQ10 experienced a 50% reduction in incidence of heart attack stroke or death. Co Q10 must be used with your doctors supervision for those taking blood thinners because it has a mild blood thinning effect.
 
Symptoms of heart Failure include:

• Difficulty breathing when lying down
• Breathlessness when doing normal daily activities
• Swelling of ankles, feet & abdomen
• Feeling very tired & weak

 
Factors that increase Heart Failure Risk

• High Blood Pressure can result in heart wall thickening and eventual inefficiency
• Narrowing of arteries resulting from plaque build-up
• Diabetes can damage the heart muscle
• Smoking
• Obesity & sedentary lifestyle

If you wish to discuss the possible benefits of Co Q10 call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist Karen Emans on 0408748532

​A recent study investigated the role of chemical exposure & low folate during pregnancy, on the incidence of autism in children. It was found that women with regular exposure to household chemicals like flea or tick products for pets, and ant, fly or cockroach extermination products in the house, or agricultural sprays, and taking less than 800mcg folate in the 3 months before conception and during pregnancy, had 2 ½ times greater risk of having a child on the autism spectrum. Professor Rebecca Schmidt from the study, is assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California. She says "Folate plays a critical role in DNA methylation (a process by which genes are turned on & off), as well as in DNA synthesis. These are really important during periods of rapid growth when there are lots of cells dividing, as in a developing foetus.” The study was called “Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment”(CHARGE) study, and shows us how important adequate folate and avoidance of chemical exposure is in pregnancy. If you are contemplating pregnancy speak with Sunshine Coast Nutritionist Karen Emans on 0408 748 532. 

Your Microbiome is the community of living organisms that flourish in your gut. It is initially established in the first 5 years of life but is constantly changing depending on what you eat, your stress levels, how much exercise you do, and drugs you take. Foods that can produce an unhealthy microbiome include sugar, refined low fiber carbs like white bread, white rice, white pasta, & fried food, as well as preservatives and chemical sprays on our food. An unhealthy microbiome, including SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is known to be associated with many chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, IBS, autoimmune conditions, obesity, and autism spectrum disorders.
 
Australians are among the world’s highest users of antibiotics with 46% of us using one or more courses of antibiotics every year according to a report published in 2016 by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
A single 5 day course of antibiotics can wipe out 40% of one's gut flora, and this can take years to recover.
 
A well designed diet accompanied by carefully selected probiotics can quickly make a big positive difference in the makeup of your microbiome. For example the probiotic Saccharomyces Boulardii has been shown to reduce loss of good flora while taking antibiotics & recovery after, while LGG administration promotes the growth of 5 out of the 6 core genera inhabiting a healthy gut.  
 
If you are keen to improve your microbiome, or suspect you may have Candida or SIBO underlying your chronic health condition call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408 748 532 for an appointment today.

​ A new study with animals has found that an inflammatory chemical in the bloodstream called TNF-alpha can cross the blood brain barrier, activating glial cells in the brain which attract damaging immune cells. This active immune response in the brain, results in us feeling foggy & fatigued.

One of the things that massively increases circulating levels of TNF-alpha is a component of the cell walls in pathogenic bacteria from our gut, called Lipopolysaccharide. LPS was found to increase TNF- alpha from 3ng/m to 97ng/m in a cell culture. This is why it’s so important to clean up our gut, especially if SIBO or Candida overgrowth are present.

Several natural substances have been found in studies to inhibit TNF-alpha, including the herb Cats Claw which reduced it by 65 – 85% as reported in the year 2000, in the journal ‘Free Radic Biol Med’ 29(1):71-8 (2000). Also useful are the powerful antioxidants Resveratrol and Quercetin, as reported in 2010, in the ‘Am J Clin Nutr’ 92:1511-21 (2010). These gifts from nature are a valuable part of our natural medicine tool kit. If you are tired and foggy, or your gut is not functioning as well as you'd like, call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist Karen Emans on 0408 748 532 for an appointment & start on the road to better health today.  

​Could you have SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth)? Symptoms to look for

• Wind & Bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Craving sweet foods, or bread
• Fatigue
• Mood swings, anxiety & irritability
• Brain fog
• Poor sleep, or restless legs
• Multiple food sensitivities

 
The food we eat, especially the type of carbohydrates, determines the populations of intestinal flora (bacteria) that can live in our gut. Gut bacteria ferment whatever we can’t digest & absorb, producing gases like hydrogen and methane which give us wind, and lactic acid which affects our brain, mood & sleep. Both inflame & damage the cells lining the small intestine, where enzymes complete digestion & absorption occurs. Damaged intestinal cells can no longer produce their digestive enzymes, and excess mucus is produced in an attempt to shield the gut wall, further inhibiting carbohydrates from getting to the enzymes still available. Leaky gut, systemic inflammation, pain, and multiple food sensitivities result.
 
Is there a test for this?
‘The Hydrogen & Methane Breath Test’ requested by your doctor tells you if you have excessive fermentation, but you probably know this already by the amount of wind & bloating you have.
 
How can we correct it?
When we give the body a healthy balance of protein, good fats, and certain carbohydrates that are easily digested & absorbed, leaving none to feed bacteria in the small intestine, harmful bacteria die off. Freed from the inflammatory effects of pathogenic bacteria, the small intestine cells can heal & start producing digestive enzymes again. Thus digestion and absorption improves and your symptoms disappear. Improvements appear quite quickly but long term healing requires adherence to the program for a year. If you need help with these symptoms call sunshine coast Nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408 748 532

​N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (NAG) is the precursor to skin plumping hyaluronic acid, & is also anti-inflammatory, making it a useful skin anti-aging nutrient. As a bonus it is used by the epithelial cells lining your digestive tract to make a protective mucus barrier that protects your gut from inflammation & reduces leaky gut. Fibroblasts are cells that use NAG to make collagen and connective tissue in your skin, gut and joints as part of an ongoing rejuvenation process which slows as you age. UV radiation damages fibroblasts in the skin & activates enzymes that break down collagen causing ageing and wrinkling of the skin.
 
A study done by Poznan University of Medical Sciences & published in the International Journal of Cosmetic  Science in May 2013, showed that fibroblasts cultured with NAG increased synthesis of collagen by 33% and reduced the manufacture of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 by 22%. Fibroblasts cultured with NAG also demonstrated improved ability to heal an injured layer of cells by 34%. These results are good news for those of us wanting to slow down ageing of our skin, and improve gut health. For help with anti-ageing strategies call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist and kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408 748 532
 

​Anxiety – how bad do you have it?

• I worry easily, often for no real reason
• It’s hard to concentrate & remember things
• I feel powerless sometimes
• I often get a feeling of panic or doom
• There is frequently a sick feeling in my gut
• My sleep is not good
• I feel tense & would up
• I always seem to be rushing
• I rarely feel relaxed, calm, at peace
• Phobia of spiders, heights, crowds, small spaces or flying plague me

 
Can Kinesiology Help?
Kinesiology works with the brain and the nervous system. In a Kinesiology balance we use muscle testing to identify the parts of the nervous system which are holding onto stress from past experiences, are over-sensitive to incoming stimuli, or just stuck in a pattern of habitual fear responses. Then we set to work to calm and balance your automatic responses using special energy points on the head and body, meridian balancing techniques & insightful information. Our clients tell us that major shifts often happen for them, & that life becomes easier and more enjoyable. Call Sunshine Coast Kinesiology  on 0408 748 532 and book a Kinesiology Balance with Steve or Karen.

SELF SABOTAGE
Can’t get out of your own way? Just when things seem to be going well, do you throw a spanner in the works by repeating an old pattern that disrupts everything and throws you off course? You are not alone! Habits like procrastinating and emotional eating, manically overworking, people pleasing or emotional withdrawal, can all be forms of self-sabotage. They are actions that go directly against your conscious goals, and result in feeling frustrated, unwell, unappreciated, and fatigued. Would it help to find out WHY you keep doing these things that stop you getting what you really want, and have some of the stress taken out of unhelpful compulsive behaviors? If you have decided it’s time for change call Sunshine Coast Kinesiology on 0408 748 532 and make an appointment with our Kinesiologists Karen or Steve for a balance - set yourself free! 

A telomere is a repeating sequence of DNA at the end of each chromosome which shortens every time the cell divides. When the telomere runs out, the cell can no longer divide and rejuvenate. This results in cell ageing which means ageing of your body. Stress accelerates the rate at which telomeres shorten, in turn speeding up the rate of biological aging. We may be able to lengthen telomeres thereby turning back the biological clock. This can be done by increasing the telomerase enzyme which adds length back to telomeres. Telomeres are influenced by a variety of epigenetic factors especially nutrition, some of the best nutrients are listed below:

1. Adequate methylation (donation of a methyl group to the genetic material of the telomere), marks the telomeres for proper function,& requires vitamin B6, B12 & folate. Your brain also requires a large supply of methyl donors to maintain a good mood. Chronic stress and depression typically indicate a lack of methyl donors, meaning telomeres are undernourished and prone to accelerated aging. This is a major reason why stress ages people.
2. Magnesium is necessary for many enzymes involved with DNA replication and repair. A human cell study shows that magnesium deprivation causes rapid loss of telomeres and inhibits cell replication. Magnesium deficiency is common in Australia and likely contributes to rapid aging.3.      Zinc is involved in DNA repair. Lack of zinc causes an excessive amount of DNA strand breaking.  Zinc deficiency in the elderly is associated with excessive numbers of short telomeres.
3. Tocotrienols (a type of vitamin E) has been shown in human fibroblast cells to restore the length of telomeres while reducing DNA damage.
4. Vitamin D - Researchers have shown in over 2,000 twins, that the highest levels of Vitamin D were associated with the longest telomeres, and the lowest vitamin D levels were associated with the shortest telomeres; Another study showed that 2,000 IU vitamin D daily in overweight adults boosts the activity of their telomerase enzyme, helping to rejuvenate telomere length
5. Quercetin, resveratrol, curcumin & astaxanthin are all anti-inflammatory antioxidants which help protect the telomeres, & increase the enzyme telomerase. 
 
High stress and infection are two examples of wear and tear that shorten telomeres. Both are highly inflammatory, causing significant cell damage. As inflammation rises, so does free radical damage. For example, patients with periodontitis gum disease, have higher levels of inflammatory markers, higher amounts of free radical damage, and shorter telomeres.  
During inflammation cells increase their rate of turnover in order to restore themselves. This need to recover from cellular damage actually accelerates telomere loss & free radicals generated during inflammation also damage existing telomeres. Thus, we want to do everything we can to reduce inflammation including the low-grade, chronic issues such as infections in our sinuses, mouth, and digestive tract. 

​If your body feels fit, energetic, free of aches and pains, and you recover well with a good night’s sleep, you are in relatively good anti-inflammatory shape & this is reflected in the length of your telomeres. if you want to improve these important things call Sunshine Coast Nutritionis and Kinesiologist Karen Emans 0408748532.